Biological information detection device

ABSTRACT

A biological information detection device includes a main body portion, a heartbeat detection portion, formed integrally with the main body portion, which has electrodes that come into contact with a biological surface, and a fixing band, detachably provided to the main body portion, which mounts the main body portion and the heartbeat detection portion to a user. A sealing portion for securing sealing of an electrical connection portion is provided in the periphery of the electrical connection portion that electrically connects the main body portion to the electrodes of the heartbeat detection portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a biological information detectiondevice that detects a biological signal by installing an electrode onthe biological surface of the human body.

2. Background Art

Among these kinds of biological information detection devices, there is,for example, a device that detects an electro-cardiac signal generatedin association with a heartbeat, and measures a heart rate from thebiological surface. As such a biological information detection device,there is, for example, a device which includes a main body portionhaving a detection circuit board and the like built-in, and a strapwhich mounts the main body portion to the human body, the strap beingprovided with a pair of electrodes. The main body portion and the strapare provided with an electrical connection portion for electricallyconnecting a detection circuit board of the main body portion to anelectrode of the strap.

Based on such a configuration, an electro-cardiac signal generated inassociation with a heartbeat is detected by bringing a pair ofelectrodes into contact with the chest (biological surface) of the humanbody, and the main body portion derives a heart rate on the basis of shedetected electro-cardiac signal.

Further, among the biological information detection devices, there is,for example, a device in which the main body portion is detachablyprovided to the strap from the viewpoint of maintenance such as cleaningof the strap. When the main body portion is mounted to the strap, theelectrical connection portion provided to the strap and the electricalconnection portion provided to the main body portion are mechanicallyconnected to each other, and the detection, circuit board and theelectrode are electrically connected to each other (see, for example,Specification of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0096556and U.S. Design Registration No. 603,521).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the above-mentioned related, art, in order to detachablyform the electrical connection portion provided to the strap and theelectrical connection portion provided to the main body portion to eachother, it is necessary to expose these electrical connection portions tothe outside. For this reason, there is concern of the electricalconnection portions being corroded or foreign substances infiltratinginto the electrical connection portions due to exposure of each of theelectrical connection portions to the external environment such assweat, which leads to an occurrence of defective detection. In additionto this, there is concern of the electrode portion being exposed to acleaning solution in association with cleaning of the strap at the timeof maintenance, and thus the electrical parts such as the electrode andthe electrical connection portion being damaged.

Consequently, the present invention is contrived in view of suchcircumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a biologicalinformation detection device capable of preventing defective detectionfrom occurring while securing good maintenance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided abiological information detection device including: a device main body: abiological signal detection portion, formed integrally with the devicemain body, which has an electrode that comes into contact with abiological surface; and a fixing portion, detachably provided to thedevice main body, which mounts the device main body and the biologicalsignal detection portion to a human body, wherein a sealing portion forsecuring sealing of an electrical connection portion is provided in theperiphery of the electrical connection portion that electricallyconnects the device main body to the electrode of the biological signaldetection portion.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent theelectrical connection portion from being exposed to the outside whiledetachably forming the heart rate meter main body and the fixing portionto each other. For this reason, it is possible to prevent defectivedetection of the heartbeat measurement device from occurring whilesecuring good maintenance.

In addition, the biological signal detection portion is integrallyprovided in the device main body, and the fixing portion is detachablyprovided to the device main body, thereby allowing the biological signaldetection portion to be separated from the fixing portion. For thisreason, for example, in cleaning at time of maintenance, it is possibleto perform cleaning of a simple fixing portion, and to reliably preventdefects from occurring in electrical parts such as the electrode and theelectrical connection portion.

In the biological information detection device according to the aspect,the sealing portion may be integrally formed in the biological signaldetection portion.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the numberof parts, and to improve ease of assembly and reduce costs.

In the biological information detection device according no the aspect,a groove may be formed between the electrical connection portion and thesealing portion.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily elasticallydeform the electrical connection portion, and to reduce contactresistance of the electrical connection portion to the device main body.As a result, it is possible to improve adhesion of the sealing portionto the device main body and the biological signal detection portion, andto improve sealing thereof.

In the biological information detection device according to the aspect,the biological signal detection portion may be formed from conductiveelastomer, and the conductive elastomer may serve as the electrode.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily elasticallydeform the biological signal detection portion, and to increase adhesionof the electrode to the biological surface. For this reason, it ispossible to detect the biological signal with a higher degree ofaccuracy.

In addition, the sealing portion is formed from conductive elastomer,thereby allowing adhesion of the sealing portion to be increased byelastic deformation of the sealing portion. For this reason, it ispossible to more reliably increase sealing of the electrical connectionportion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent theelectrical connection portion from being exposed to the outside whiledetachably forming the heart rate meter main body and the fixing portionto each other. For this reason, it is possible to prevent defectivedetection of the heartbeat measurement device from occurring whilesecuring good maintenance.

In addition, the biological signal detection portion is integrallyprovided to the device main body, and the fixing portion is detachablyprovided to the device main body, thereby allowing the biological signaldetection portion to be separated from the fixing portion. For thisreason, for example, in cleaning at time of maintenance, it is possibleto perform cleaning of a simple fixing portion, and to reliably preventdefects from occurring in electrical, parts such as the electrode andthe electrical connection portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a heartbeatmeasurement device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is installed on a user.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the heartbeat measurementdevice according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the heartbeatmeasurement device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a main body portionand a heartbeat detection portion according to the first embed event ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram viewed from an arrow A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a B portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view illustrating the main body portion and theheartbeat detection portion according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken, along the line D-D of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main body portionaccording to a first modified example in the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main body portionaccording to a second modified example in the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a main body portion and aheartbeat detection portion according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main bodyportion and the heartbeat detection portion according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram viewed from an arrow E of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of an F portion of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a partial plan view illustrating the main body portion andthe heartbeat detection portion according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment HeartbeatMeasurement Device

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a heartbeatmeasurement device 1 which is a biological information detection deviceaccording to the present invention is installed on a user U, FIG. 2 is aperspective view illustrating the heartbeat measurement device 1, andFIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the heartbeatmeasurement device 1.

Meanwhile, in the following description, the side which comes intocontact with the user U in a state where the heartbeat measurementdevice 1 is mounted by the user U is expressed as the back side, and thesurface on the side opposite to this back side and the side directed tothe outside is expressed as the front side, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heartbeat measurement device 1 is mountedto the chest which is a biological surface of the user U to detect anelectro-cardiac signal generated in association with heartbeat, andwirelessly communicates the detected electro-cardiac signal. Theheartbeat measurement device 1 includes a main body portion 2, aheartbeat detection portion 3 formed integrally with the main bodyportion 2, and a fixing band 4 which mounts the main body portion 2 andthe heartbeat detection portion 1 to the chest of the user U.

The fixing band 4 is formed in a substantially ring shape so as to bemounted over the whole circumference of the chest of the user U. Morespecifically, the fixing band 1 includes a strap 8 having elasticitywhich is formed in a substantially belt shape. Meanwhile, the strap 8may not only be elastic, bus also may be non-elastic.

A length adjustment member 10 for adjusting the length of the strap 8 isprovided substantially at the center of the strap 8 in the long-sidedirection. In addition, ring portions 11 and 11 formed by folding backterminal portions of the strap 8 are respectively provided on both endsof the strap 8 in the long-side direction.

The two ring portions 11 and 11 are respectively provided with a strapattaching and detaching member 12. The strap attaching and detachingmember 12 is constituted by a ring-shaped portion 12 a inserted into thering portions 11 and 11, and a hook portion 12 b formed integrally withone side surface of the ring-shaped portion 12 a. The hook portion 12 bis engaged with the main body portion 2.

Main Body Portion and Heartbeat Detection Portion

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main bodyportion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3, FIG. 5 is a diagramviewed iron an arrow A of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a Bportion of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a partial plan view illustrating the mainbody portion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3, FIG. 8 is across-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is across-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the main body portion 2 includes a lower case21 which is in a substantially disk shape. The lateral portions of thelower case 21 are respectively provided with connection members 22 forconnecting the strap attaching and detaching members 12 and the mainbody portion 2 at both sides centered on the radial middle of the lowercase 21.

The connection member 22 is constituted by a pair of support walls 23and 23, formed upright from the lateral portion of the lower case 21,which face each other in the circumferential direction, and a shaft 24provided so as to be laid between the support walls 23 and 23. The tipof the shaft 24 is configured to freely come in and out, and a throughhole 25 capable of receiving the tip of the shaft 24 is formed in aplace corresponding to the shaft 24 between the support walls 22 and 23.

Thereby, the shaft 24 is engaged with the support walls 23 and 23, andboth 23 and 24 are integrated with each other. The hook portion 12 b ofthe strap attaching and detaching member 12 is configured to beengagable with the shaft 24, and the main body portion 2 and the fixingband 4 is configured to be disengageable with each other.

In addition, in the front side of the lower case 21, a concave portion26 is formed in the central large portion. A detection circuit board 27is received in the concave portion 26. The detection circuit board 27formed in a substantially disk shape so as to correspond to the shape ofthe concave portion 26. In addition, she detection circuit board 27includes, for example, a wireless transmission portion and a transmittercircuit (all not shown), and performs wireless communication on thebasis of a signal detected by the heartbeat detection portion 3.

Further, the concave portion 26 of the lower case 21 is provided with anupper case 28 so as to block an opening of the concave portion 26. Theupper case 28 is termed in a substantially disk shape so as tocorrespond to the shape of she concave portion 26, and the diameterthereof is set so as to be substantially identical to the diameter ofthe lower case 21.

Meanwhile, each of the shapes of the lower case 21, the selectionclients board 27, and the upper case 28 is not limited to a substantialdisk shape, and various shapes can be adopted. For example, the lowercase 21, the detection circuit board 27, and the upper case 28 can alsobe formed so that the external shapes thereof are substantiallyrectangular when seen in plan view.

In addition, through holes 29 and 29 passing through in the thicknessdirection close to each connection member 22 are formed in the concaveportion 26 of the lower case 21, and a conductive member 30 is insertedinto the through holes 29 and 29. The conductive member 30 is toelectrically connect the detection circuit board 27 to the heartbeatdetection portion 3, and is formed by, for example, a coil spring or thelike.

Further, on the back side of the lower case 21, a positionaldisplacement prevention convex portion 31 is integrally formed in anarea corresponding to the through hole 29. The positional displacementprevention convex portion 31 is to prevent positional displacement ofthe main body portion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 in apredetermined direction in cooperation with an insertion convex portion50 (the details of the insertion convex portion 50 will be describedlater) formed in the positional displacement prevention convex portion31, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross-sectionso as to be elongated along the extension direction (horizontaldirection in FIG. 5) of the strap 8. The through hole 29 passes throughthe positional displacement prevention convex portion 31 in thethickness direction.

In addition, a pair of first receiving concave portions 32 and 32, whichare substantially L-shaped when seen in plan view, for receiving theheartbeat detection portion 3 in the lower case 21 side are respectivelyformed on both sides of the positional displacement prevention convexportion 31 in the short-side direction. A positional displacementprevention protrusion 33 for preventing positional displacement betweenthe main body portion 2 and the heartbeat decoction portion 3 in apredetermined direction is disposed upright integrally with the firstreceiving concave portion 32. A female screw portion 37 is engraved inthe positional displacement prevention protrusion 33. A bolt 36described later is threaded into the female screw portion 37, and isconfigured to be capable of fastening and fixing the heartbeat detectionportion 3 to the main body portion 2.

Further, a second receiving concave portion 34 having a depth smallerthan that of the first receiving concave portion 32 is formed at eachconnection member 22 side rather than the positional displacementprevention convex portion 31 and the first receiving concave portion 32.The second receiving concave portion 34 is also to receive the heartbeatdetection portion 3 in the lower case 21 side, and is formed up to thelateral portion of the lower case 21. Thereby, the radial outside of thesecond receiving concave portion 34 is in an opened state, and theheartbeat detection portion 3 can be drawn into the lower case 21 fromthe outside.

The heartbeat detection portion 3 is placed in the first receivingconcave portion 32 and she second receiving concave portion 34 which areformed in this manner, and a fixed reinforcing plate 35 is fastened andfixed to the lower case 21 using the bolt 36 from the top thereof, sothat the main body portion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 areintegrated with each other. In the fixed reinforcing plate 35, a boltinsertion hole 38 is formed at a position corresponding to the femalescrew portion 37 engraved in she positional displacement preventionprotrusion 33 of the lower case 21. The bolt 36 is inserted into thebolt insertion hole 38, and the fitted reinforcing plate 35 and theheartbeat detection portion 3 are fastened to each other.

In addition, a cover 39 is installed on the back side of the lower case21 from the top of the fixed reinforcing plate 35. An opening 39 a foravoiding interference with the head of the bolt 36 is formed in thecover 39. In addition, the cover 39 is formed so that the external shapethereof corresponds to the external shapes of the first receivingconcave portion 32 and the second receiving concave portion 34. For thisreason, the fixed reinforcing plate 35 and the bolt 36 can be completelycovered by the cover 39, and the surface of the cover 39 and the surfaceof the lower case 21 can be disposed to be flush with each other,thereby allowing the aesthetics of the appearance to be improved.

The heartbeat detection portion 3 integrated with the main body portion2 is constituted by a pair of electrodes 6 a and 6 b formed from abelt-like conductive elastomer.

Herein, as the conductive elastomer, for example, conductive siliconrubber mixed with carbon black, conductive rubber mixed with carbonblack, conductive polyurethane rubber mixed with carbon black, or thelike can be used.

In each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, a connection structure 40 isintegrally formed at one end on the main body portion 2 side in thelong-aids direction. The connection structure 40 is to connect each ofthe electrodes 6 a and 6 b so the main body portion 2 and toelectrically connect the detection circuit board 27 received in the mainbody portion 2 to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, and is formed fromconductive elastomer similarly to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

In the connection structure 40, a pair of mechanical connection convexportions 41 and 41 formed in a substantially L-shape in cross-section soas to be capable of placing each of the first receiving concave portions32 and 32 of the lower case 21, and an electrical connection circularplate 42 formed between the mechanical connection convex portions 41 and41 and in an area corresponding to the positional displacementprevention convex portion 31 or the lower case 21 are formed integrallywith each other.

In the mechanical connection convex portion 41, an insertion hole 43capable of inserting the positional displacement prevention protrusion33 is formed at a position corresponding to the positional displacementprevention protrusion 33 of the lower case 21.

The mechanical connection convex portions 41 and 41 are respectivelyplaced in the first receiving concave portions 32 and 32 of the lowercase 21, and the positional displacement prevention protrusion 33 of thelower case 21 is inserted into each insertion hole 43 of the mechanicalconnection convex portions 41 and 41, thereby preventing displacement ofthe mechanical connection convex portion 41 with respect to the lowercase 21.

On the other hand, the electrical connection circular plate 42 isdisposed so that the radial center thereof is located coaxially with thethrough holes 29 a and 29 b formed in the positional displacementprevention convex portion 31 of the lower case 21. That is, the radiallycentral portion of the electrical connection circular plate 42 is formedas an electrical connection portion 44 which comes into contact with theconductive member 30 inserted into the through hole 29, and by which theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b and the detection circuit board 27 areelectrically connected to each other.

In addition, a sealing portion 51 in integrally for nod at an end face42 a of the electrical connection circular plate 42 on the main bodyportion 2 side so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 44. The sealing portion 51 is configured such that aseal main body 51 a which is formed in a substantially triangular shapein cross-section is formed in a substantially circular-rang shape whenseen in plan view so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 44.

Further, both sides of the electrical connection circular plate 42 areconnected to the mechanical connection convex portions 41 through aconnection portion 45 with the electrical connection portion 44interposed therebetween. The connection portion 45 is integrally formedtogether with the mechanical connection convex portions 41 and theelectrical connection circular plate 42. Both sides thereof in the widthdirection are slightly resected and constricted portions 46 are formed.The rigidity of the connection portion 45 is set to be weaker than thatof the mechanical connection convex portion 41 or the electricalconnection portion 44.

In addition, the thickness of the electrical connection circular plate42 is set to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the electrodes 6a and 6 b. Further, a concave portion 47 is formed between themechanical connection convex portions 41 and 41 at the end of theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b on the connection structure 40 side.

According to such a configuration, a fitting concave portion 48 isformed by the mechanical connection convex portion 41 and the electricalconnection circular plate 42. The positional displacement prevention,convex portion 31 of the loner case 21 is fitted into the fittingconcave portion 48. In addition, a slit 49 serving as the concaveportion 47 is formed at one end of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b in thelong-side direction.

The positional displacement prevention convex portion 31 of the lowercase 21 is formed so as to be fitted into the fitting concave portion48, and is formed so as so cover the slit 49. An end face 31 a of thepositional displacement prevention convex portion 31 and an end face 42a of the electrical connection circular plate 42 come close to eachother. In addition, the insertion convex portion 50 capable of beinginserted into the slit 49 is formed in the positional displacementprevention convex portion 31. Thereby, displacement of the relativeposition between the electrodes 6 a and 6 b and the main body portion 2is prevented.

Based on such a configuration, when the connection structure 40 of eachof the electrodes 6 a and 6 b is placed in the first receiving concaveportion 32 and the second receiving concave portion 34 of the lower case21, and the fixed reinforcing plate 35 is fastened and fixed to thelower case 21 from the top thereof using the bolt 36, the conductivemember 30 provided to the lower case 21 and the electrical connectionportion 44 of the connection structure 40 come into contact with eachother, and the conductive member 30 and the electrical connectionportion 44 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, thesealing portion 51 formed in the periphery of the electrical connectionportion 44 is pressed and squashed to the positional displacementprevention convex portion 31 of the lower case 21. Moreover, since thesealing portion 51 is formed from conductive elastomer, it iscompressible and can be pressed reliably and easily, and sealing of theelectrical connection portion 44 from the outside is secured reliably.

In this manner, after the heartbeat detection portion 3 constituted bythe main body portion 2 and the electrodes 6 a and 6 b is integrallyformed, the strap attaching and detaching member 12 of the fixing band 4wound around the chest of the user U and the connection member 22 of themain body portion 2 are caused to be engaged with each other. Thereby,the mounting of the heartbeat measurement device 1 to the chest of theuser U is completed. In a state where the heartbeat measurement device 1is installed, each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b is pressed down by thestrap 8 from above. An electro-cardiac signal generated in associationwith a heartbeat is detected by the pair of electrodes 6 a and 6 b. Thedetection circuit board 27 of the main body portion 2, for example,wirelessly communicates the electro-cardiac signal detected by the pairof electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

Herein, the main body portion 2 and the electrodes 6 a and 6 b areseparate from each other, each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b isinstalled on the loner case 21 of the main body portion 2 through theconnection structure 40, and the main body portion 2 and the electrodes6 a and 6 b are formed integrally with each other. For this reason,there is concern of it being difficult to cause a gap between the lowercase 21 and the electrodes 6 a and 6 b not to be generated at all, andthus sweat from the human body or foreign substances infiltrate throughthis gap. When sweat from the human body or foreign substancesinfiltrate, the conductive member 30 may be corroded, or the state ofthe connection between the electrical connection portion 44 and theconductive member 30 may be deteriorated. However, since the sealingportion 31 is integrally formed in the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 44, and sealing of the electrical connection portion44 from the outside is secured, sweat from the human body or foreignsubstances are prevented from infiltrating.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the mainbody portion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 are formedintegrally with each other, and the strap 8 of the fixing band 4 isinstalled on the main body portion 2. Therefore, while the main bodyportion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 are formed detachably tothe fixing bend 4, the sealing portion 51 is provided in the peripheryof the electrical connection portion 44, so that it is possible toprevent a defective connection between the electrical connection,portion 44 and she conductive member 30 from occurring. For this reason,it is possible to prevent the defective detection of the heartbeatmeasurement device 1 from occurring while securing good maintenance ofthe heartbeat measurement device 1.

In addition, the heartbeat detection portion 3 is integrally provided tothe main body portion 2, and the fixing band 4 is detachably provided tothe main body portion 2, so that it is possible to separate the mainbody portion 2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 from the fixingband 4 in a state where the main body portion 2 and the heartbeatdetection portion 3 are formed integrally with each other. For thisreason, it is possible to easily perform cleaning of only the fixingband 4. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent defects from occurringin electrical parts such as the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, the conductivemember 30, and the electrical connection portion 44.

In addition, since the sealing portion 51 is integrally formed in theelectrical connection circular plate 42, she number of parts forsecuring sealing around the electrical connection portion 44 does notincrease, and thus it is possible to prevent ease of assembly from beingdeteriorated, and to reduce costs.

Further, the heartbeat detection portion 3 is constituted by a pair ofelectrodes 6 a and 6 b formed from a belt-like conductive elastomer, sothat when it is pressed down by the strap 8 from the top of each of theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b, the electrodes 6 a and 6 b are easilyelastically deformed. For this reason, it is possible to increaseadhesion or the electrodes 6 a and 6 b to the chest of the user U, andto increase detection accuracy of an electro-cardiac signal using a pairof electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

The sealing portion 51 formed integrally with the electrical connectioncircular plate 42 is also formed from conductive elastomer, and thus itis possible to increase adhesion of the sealing portion 51 byelastically deform the sealing portion 51. For this reason, it ispossible to more reliably increase sealing of she electrical connectionportion 44.

In addition, since the fining band 4 is installed on the main bodyportion 2, the fixing band 4 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 areseparated from each other, and each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b of theheartbeat detection portion 3 is pressed down to the chest of the user Uby the strap 8 from the top thereof. For this reason, it is possible tosuppress the application of the external force such as the pulling ofeach of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

However, even in so on a configuration, it is also considered thatexternal force is applied to each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b. Herein,operations in a case where external force in the tensile direction isapplied to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b will be described with referenceto FIGS. 6 and 8.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, when external force P in the tensiledirection is applied to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, a load istransmitted to the connection structure 40 formed integrally with oneend of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b in the long-side direction. Morespecifically, a road is transmitted to the mechanical connection convexportion 41 formed integrally with the electrodes 6 a and 6 b. At thistime, the direction of a load on the mechanical connection convexportion 41 is a direction of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b in the long-sidedirection.

Herein, the electrical connection circular plate 42 connected to themechanical connection convex portion 41 through the connection portion45 is disposed between each of the mechanical connection convex portions41 and 41, and the array direction of the mechanical connection convexportions 41 and 41 and the electrical connection circular plate 42becomes a direction intersecting substantially at a right angle to thedirection of a load on the mechanical connection convex portion 41.Moreover, a constricted portion 46 is formed in the connection portion45, and the rigidity of the connection portion 45 is set to be weakerthan that of the mechanical connection convex portion 41 or theelectrical connection portion 44. For this reason, the connectionportion 45 is easily classically deformed, and the load on themechanical connection convex portion 41 is not easily transmitted to theelectrical connection circular plate 42. Thus, even when the externalforce P is applied to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, it is possible tostabilize the state of the connection between the electrical connect ionportion 44 of the electrical connection circular plate 42 and theconductive member 30.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the sealing portion 51 is formed in a substantiallytriangular shape in cross-section, and in a substantially circular-ringshape when, seen in plan view. However, without being limited thereto,the sealing portion may protrude from the end face 42 a of theelectrical connection circular plate 42 on the main body portion 2 side,and may be formed so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 44. For example, the sealing portion may be formed ina substantially semicircular shape in cross-section, and in asubstantially rectangular shape when seen in plan view.

In addition, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which she sealing portion 51 is formed integrally with theelectrical connection circular plate 42. However, without being limitedthereto, the electrical connection circular plate 42 and the sealingportion 51 may be formed separately.

Further, instead of providing the sealing portion 51 in the electricalconnection circular plate 42, the sealing portion may be protrusivelyprovided in an area corresponding to the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 44 in the positional displacement prevention convexversion 31 of the lower case 21. In this case, the electrical connectioncircular plate 42 is pressed by the searing portion of the lower case21, and thus it is possible to secure sealing of the electricalconnection portion 44 by squashing the electrical connection circularplate 42.

In each of the above-mentioned cases, the sealing portion 51 surrounds aperipheral portion of the electrical connection portion 44 and iscompressed or squashed between the main body portion 2 and theelectrical connection portion 44.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has been described inwhich in mounting the heartbeat measurement device 1 to the chest of theuser U, the fixing band 4 is wound around the chest of the user U, andthen the strap attaching and detaching member 12 of the fixing band 4and the connection member 22 of the main body portion 2 are caused to beengaged with each other. However, without being limited thereto, forexample, the strap attaching and detaching member 12 of the fixing band4 and the connection member 22 of the main body portion 2 may be causedto be engaged with each other, and then the heartbeat measurement device1 may be mounted by winding the fixing band 4 around the chest of theuser U.

In addition, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the conductive member 30 for electrically connectingthe detection circuit board 27 to the electrical connection portion 44is formed by, for example, a coil spring or the like. However, withoutbeing limited thereto, a conductive pin 60 may be used instead of thecoil spring. Hereinafter, more specific aspects will be described.

First Modified Example of First Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main body portion 2′according to a first modified example of the first embodiment.Meanwhile, the same components as those of the above-mentioned firstembodiment are designated by the same reference signs, and a descriptionthereof will be omitted (the same is true of the following modifiedexample and the Embodiment).

As shown in the came drawing, in the first modified example of the firstembodiment, the main body portion 2′ includes a lower case 21′ and anupper case 28′. The following basic configuration of the modifiedexample is the same as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment (thesame is true of the following second modified example of the firstembodiment): the detection circuit board 27 is provided within the lowercase 21′; the electrodes 6 a and 6 b constituting the heartbeatdetection portion 3 are integrally connected to the lower case 21′, andthe like.

Herein, a concave portion 32 receiving an electrical connection circularplate 42′ in the back side (lower side in FIG. 10) is formed at aposition corresponding to the through hole 29 of the lower case 21′.Further, a concave portion 53 receiving a head 60 a of the conductivepin 60 inserted into the through hole 29 is formed on a bottom 52 a ofthe concave portion. In addition, a diameter expansion portion 54 ofwhich the diameter is expanded due to the step difference is formed at aposition corresponding to the through hole 29 in the surface on thefront side (upper side in FIG. 10) of the lower case 21′. The diameterexpansion portion 54 is to avoid interference with a retaining ring 55installed on the tip of the conductive pin 60 after the conductive pin60 is inserted into the through hole 29 from the back side.

In addition, a packing groove 56 is formed in the conductive pin 60 overthe whole circumference, and a packing 57 is mounted thereto. Thereby,sealing is secured between the through hole 29 and the conductive pin60.

On the other hand, in the electrical connection circular plate 42′, thesealing portion 51 is integrally formed on a convex portion 58 formedupright in a ring shape when seen in plan view. Thereby, when theelectrical connection circular plate 42′ is installed on the lower case21′, it is possible to easily compressively deform the convex portion 58together with the sealing portion 51, and to increase adhesion betweenthe electrical connection circular plate 42′ and the lower case 21′. Inthis case, sealing is secured only by the main body portion 2 inaddition to sealing of the electrical connection portion 44′, and thusit is possible to further increase sealing as the heartbeat measurementdevice 1.

In addition, in the electrical connection circular plate 42′, aring-shaped groove 82 is formed on the radially inner side of the convexport ion 58, and the inside of the groove 82 is used as she electricalconnection portion 44′. That is, a groove 82 is formed between theelectrical connection portion 44′ and the sealing portion 51. Thereby,the electrical connection portion 44′ is protrusively formed. Inaddition, the protrusion height of the electrical connection portion 44′is lower than that of the convex portion 58, and is set to a height atwhich the electrical connection portion 44′ is capable of being pressedby the head 60 a of the conductive pin 60 when the electrical connectioncircular plate 42′ is installed on the lower case 21′. Thereby, it ispossible to cause the conductive pin 60 and the electrical connectionportion 44′ to adhere tightly to each other, and to reduce contactresistance between the two.

Meanwhile, the groove 82 may not be formed in a ring shape, and may beformed intermittently on the radially inner side of the convex portion58 along the circumferential direction.

Therefore, according to the first modified example of theabove-mentioned first embodiment, contact resistance of the electricalconnection portion 44′ is reduced in addition to the same effect as thatof the above-mentioned first embodiment, and thus it is possible to morereliably prevent sweat from the human body or foreign substances frominfiltrating into the electrical connection portion 44′ without damagingadhesion of the sealing portion 51 to the lower case 21′.

In addition, even when external force (for example, load pulled in thelong-side direction) is applied to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b by theformation of the groove 82 in the electrical connection circular plate42′, and the sealing portion 51 is displaced, the displacement of theelectrical connection portion 44′ is reduced, and thus it is possible tostabilise the state of the contact between the electrical connectionportion 44′ and the conductive pin 60.

Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which in installing the electrodes 6 a and 6 b of theheartbeat detection portion 3 on the main body portion 2, the finedreinforcing plate 35 is placed from the top of the electrodes 6 a and 6b, and the fixed reinforcing plate 35 and each of the electrodes 6 a and6 b are fastened to each other by the bolt 36. However, without beinglimited thereto, as shown in FIG. 11, the electrodes 6 a and 6 b and afixed reinforcing plate 35′ may be formed integrally with each other,and the structure formed in this manner may be installed on the mainbody portion 2′. More specific aspect will be described below.

Second Modified Example of First Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main body portion 2′according to a second modified example of the first embodiment.

As shown in the same drawing, the electrodes 6 a and 6 b are formedthick by the thickness equivalent to that of the fined reinforcing plate35 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment. The fixedreinforcing plate 35′ according to the second modified example of thefirst embodiment is insert-molded on the electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

The fixed reinforcing plate 35′ includes a first plate portion 61disposed at a position corresponding to the concave portion 34 of thelower case 21′ and a second plate portion 62 disposed at a positioncorresponding to the concave portion 52 of the lower case 21′.

The first plate portion 61 is buried in the electrodes 6 a and 6 b. Inaddition, she second plate portion 62 is disposed so as to be exposed tothe back side of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b. Further, the thickness ofthe second plate portion 62 is set to a thickness capable of receiving ahead 26 a of the bolt 36, and a concave portion 62 a receiving the head36 a is formed at a position corresponding to the bolt 36.

According to such a configuration, in addition to the same effect asthat of the first modified example of the above-mentioned firstembodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, and to reducethe number of assembly processes and reduce costs.

Second Embodiment Heartbeat Measurement Device

Next, reference will be made to FIG. 1 to describe a second embodimentof the present invention on the basis of FIGS. 12 to 17.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a main body portion 202 and aheartbeat detection portion 203 which constitute a heartbeat measurementdevice 201 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 13 is an explodedperspective view illustrating the main body portion 202 and theheartbeat detection portion 203 which constitute the heartbeatmeasurement device 201, FIG. 14 is a diagram viewed from an arrow E ofFIG. 13, FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of an F portion of FIG. 13, FIG. 16is a partial plan view illustrating the main body portion 202 and theheartbeat detection portion 203, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along the lice G-G of FIG. 16.

As shown FIGS. 1, 12, and 13, in the second embodiment, the heartbeatmeasurement device 201 includes the stain body portion 202, theheartbeat detection portion 203 formed integrally with the mum bodyportion 202, and the fixing band 4 which mounts the main body portion202 and the heartbeat detection portion 203 to the chest of the user U.The following basic configuration of the embodiment is the same as theabove-mentioned first embodiment: the fixing band 4 and the main bodyportion 202 are detachable with each other through the strap attachingand detaching member 12 and the connection member 22; the heartbeatdetection portion 203 and the fixing band 4 are separated from eachother; the heartbeat detection portion 203 includes a pair of electrodes6 a and 6 b; when the heartbeat measurement device 201 is mounted, theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b are pressed down by the strap 8 from above; themain body portion 202 includes a lower case 221, the defection circuitboard 27 provided to the concave portion 26 formed in she lower case221, and the upper case 28 provided so as to block the concave portion26; the detection circuit board 27 and each of the electrodes 6 a and 6b are electrically connected to each other, and the like.

Herein, the difference between the first embodiment and the secondembodiment is that a connection structure between the main body portion2 and the heartbeat detection portion 3 according to the firstembodiment and a connection structure between the main body portion 202and the heartbeat detection portion 203 according to the secondembodiment are different iron each other.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, through holes 229 and 229passing through in the thickness direction close to each connectionmember 22 are formed in the concave portion 26 of the lower case 221. Aconductive pin 260 is inserted into the through hole 229 from the backside of the lower case 221.

A retaining ring groove 71 is formed on the tip of the conductive pin260. After the conductive pin 260 is inserted into the through hole 229,a retaining ring 72 is mounted to the retaining ring groove 71. Thereby,the conductive pin 260 is prevented from falling out from the throughhole 229. In addition, in the concave portion 26 of the lower case 221,a counter-boring portion 73 receiving the retaining ring 72 is formed inan area corresponding to the through hole 229, and the tip of theconductive pin 260 can be prevented from protruding the concave portion26 of the lower case 221.

Further, on the back side of the lower case 221, a first receivingconcave portion 232 is formed in an area corresponding to the throughhole 229. The first receiving concave portion 232 is to receive theheartbeat detection portion 203, and is formed in a substantiallyrectangular shape when seen in plan view so as to be elongated in thewidth direction of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b constituting the heartbeatdetection portion 203.

In addition, a second receiving concave portion 234 having a depthsmaller than that of the first receiving concave portion 232 is formedon each connection member 22 side rather than the first receivingconcave portion 232. The second receiving concave portion 234 extends upto the lateral portion of the lower case 221 with the same width as shewidth of the first receiving concave portion 232 in the long-sidedirection. Thereby, the radial outside of the second receiving concaveportion 234 is in an opened state. The electrodes 6 a and 6 b aredisposed in the second receiving concave portion 234.

Meanwhile, the width of the first receiving concave portion 232 and thewidth of the second receiving concave portion 234 may not be set to bethe same as each other.

On the other hand, in each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, a connectionstructure 240 is integrally formed at one end on the main body portion202 side in the long-side direction. The connection structure 240 is toconnect each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b to the main body portion 202,and to electrically connect the detection circuit board 27 received inthe main body portion 202 to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b. The connectionstructure 240 includes a mechanical connection convex portion 241 formedin a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section so as to beelongated in the width direction of each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b,as corresponding to the first receiving concave portion 232 of the lowercase 221. The mechanical connection convex portion 241 is formedintegrally with one end of each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b in thelong-side direction, and is received in the first receiving concaveportion 232, so that the swain body portion 202 and the heartbeatdetection portion 203 are integrated with each other.

In the mechanical connection convex portion 241, a reinforcing platereceiving groove 74 having an opening 74 a is formed at the end face onthe main body portion 202 side (right side in FIG. 17). A reinforcingplate 75 is received in the reinforcing plate receiving groove 74

In addition, in the mechanical connection convex portion 241, twothrough holes 76 and 76 on the convex portion side passing through alongthe width direction of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b are disposed inparallel along the long-side direction of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b.Further, each through hole 76 on the convex portion side is formed so asto be in communication with the reinforcing plate receiving groove 74.

In addition, in the lower case 221, when the mechanical connectionconvex portion 241 is received in the first receiving concave portion232, a through hole 77 on the case side is formed at a positioncorresponding to the through hole 76 on the convex portion side of themechanical connection convex portion 241. The internal diameter of thethrough hole 77 on the case side is set to be slightly larger than theinternal diameter of the through hole 76 on the convex portion side.

A fixing pin 78 is inserted into she through hole 76 on the convexportion side and the through hole 77 or the case side. The length of thefixing pin 78 is larger than the length of the mechanical connectionconvex portion 241 in the long-side direction, and is set to a length inwhich the fixing pin does not protrude from the lateral portion of thelower case 221. A fixing pipe 79 is fitted and fixed onto both ends ofthe fixing pin 78.

Herein, the diameter of the fixing pin 78 is set to be substantiallyidentical to the internal diameter of the through hole 76 on the convexportion side. In addition, the diameter of the fixing pipe 79 is set tobe substantially identical to the internal diameter of the through hole77 on the case side. That is, after the mechanical connection convexportion 241 is received in the first receiving concave portion 232 ofthe lower case 221, a fixing pin 78 is inserted into the through hole 76on the convex portion side through the through hole 77 on the case side,and the fixing pipe 79 inserted into the through hole 77 on the caseside is fitted and fixed onto both ends of the fixing pin 78.

Since the diameter of the fixing pipe 79 is set to be larger than theinternal diameter of the through hole 76 on the convex portion side, thefixing pipe 79 is fitted and fixed onto both ends or the fixing pin 78,and thus the movement of the fixing pin 78 to the failing-out directionis regulated. In addition, the fixing pin 78 is inserted into thethrough hole 76 on the convex portion side and the through hole 77 onthe case side, so that each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b is fixed tothe loner case 221 through the fixing pin 78.

In addition, since the through hole 76 on the convex portion side isformed so as to be in communication with the reinforcing plate receivinggroove 74, the reinforcing plate 75 is placed on the fixing pin 78 in astate where the fixing pin 78 is inserted into the through hole 76 onthe convex port ion side. The groove width of the mechanical connectionconvex portion 241 in the thickness direction in the reinforcing platereceiving groove 74 is set so that the reinforcing plate 75 is broughtinto contact with the inner wall of the reinforcing plate receivinggroove 74, in a state where the reinforcing plate 75 is placed on thefixing pin 78. Thereby, the rigidity of an end face 241 a of themechanical connection convex portion 241 on the main body portion 202side (upper side in FIGS. 15 and 17) is increased.

In addition, in the end face 241 a of the mechanical connection con vexportion 241, a ring-shaped groove 83 is formed in the periphery of aposition corresponding to the conductive pin 260, and the inside of thegroove 83 is used as an electrical connection portion 244. That is, theelectrical connection portion 244 is provided in the central portion ofthe end face 241 a of the mechanical connection convex portion 241. Inaddition, a ring-shaped sealing portion 251 is integrally formed in theperiphery of the groove 83. That is, the sealing portion 251 isintegrally formed so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 244. The sealing portion 251 is a component in whicha seal main body 251 a formed in a substantially triangular shape incross-section is formed in a substantially circular-ring shape when seenin plan view so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 244.

Herein, when the electrodes 6 a and 6 b are installed on the lower case221, the electrical connection portion 244 and the sealing portion 251are pressed and squashed to the bottom of the first receiving concaveportion 232 of the lower case 221. Since the rigidity of the end face241 a of the mechanical connection convex portion 241 is increased bythe reinforcing plate 75, the sealing portion 251 formed so as toprotrude from the end face 241 a of the mechanical connection convexportion 241 is easily squashed.

In addition, the ring-shaped groove 85 is formed in the end face 241 aof the mechanical connection convex portion 241, and the inside of thegroove 83 is used as the electrical connection portion 244. That is, thegroove 83 is termed between the electrical connection portion 244 andthe sealing portion 251. For this reason, the electrical connectionportion 244 is also easily squashed. In addition, contact resistance ofthe electrical connection portion 244 is reduced, and thus adhesion ofthe sealing portion 251 to the lower case 221 is not damaged.

Meanwhile, the groove 83 may not be in a ring shape formed, and may beformed intermittently along she circumferential direction on theradially inner side of the sealing portion 251.

In addition, when the heartbeat measurement device 201 is mounted on theuser U, each of the electrodes 6 a and 6 b are pressed down by the strap8, and thus there is a low possibility of external force being applieddirectly. However, when external force P in the tensile direction isapplied to the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, a load is transmitted to theconnection structure 240 formed, integrally with one end of each of theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b in the long-side direction.

At this time, a load toward the radial outside acts on the lower case221 through the fixing pin 78 connecting the mechanical connectionconvex portion 241 of the connection structure 240 to the lower case221. Further, the mechanical connection convex portion 241 is receivedin the first receiving concave portion 232 formed in the lower case 221.Therefore, when the external force P in the tensile direction is appliedto the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, an end face 241 b of the mechanicalconnection convex portion 241 on the electrodes 6 a and 6 b side pressesan inside surface 232 a of the first receiving concave portion 232.Thereby, the lower case 221 receives the external force P acting on theelectrodes 6 a and 6 b.

On the other hand, since the electrical connection portion 244 forelectrically connecting the detection circuit board 27 to the electrodes6 a and 6 b is located further at the front side than the fixing pin 78,a load due to the external force P is not easily transmitted. That is,since the electrical connection portion 244 is disposed at a positiondisplaced in the direction perpendicular to the direction of a load ofthe external force P acting on the fixing pin 78 with respect to thefixing pin 78, a load due to the external force P is not easilytransmitted. For this reason, even when the external force P is appliedto the electrodes 6 a and 6 b, it is possible to stabilise the state ofthe connection between the electrical connection portion 244 and theconductive pin 260.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned second embodiment, it ispossible to accomplish the same effect as that of the above-mentionedfirst embodiment. That is, the main body portion 202 and the heartbeatdetection portion 203 are formed integrally with each other, and themain body portion 202 and the heartbeat detection portion 203 are formeddetachably to the fixing band 4, thereby allowing good maintenance ofthe heartbeat measurement device 201 to be secured.

In addition, the sealing portion 251 is provided in the periphery of theelectrical connection portion 244, so that it is possible to reliablyprevent sweat from the human body or foreign substances frominfiltrating from the outside to the electrical connection portion 244,and to prevent the defective connection between the electricalconnection portion 244 and the conductive pin 260 from occurring.

Further, even when the external force P is applied to the electrodes 6 aand 6 b, the state of the connection between the electrical connectionportion 244 and the conductive pin 260 can be stabilised, and thus it ispossible to stabilize detection accuracy of the heartbeat measurementdevice 201, and to provide products having high reliability.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the shape of the sealing portion 251 is formed insubstantially a triangular shape in cross-section, and in asubstantially circular-ring shape when seen in plan view. However,without, being limited thereto, the sealing portion may protrude fromthe end face 241 a of the mechanical connection convex portion 241, andmay be formed so as to surround the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 244. For example, the sealing portion may be formedin a substantially semicircular shape in cross-section, and in asubstantially rectangular shape when seen in plan view.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the sealing portion 251 is formed integrally with themechanical connection convex portion 241. However, without being limitedthereto, the mechanical connection convex portion 241 and the sealingportion 251 may be formed separately.

Further, instead of providing the sealing portion 251 in the mechanicalconnection convex portion 241, the sealing portion may be protrusivelyprovided in an area corresponding to the periphery of the electricalconnection portion 244 in the bottom of the first receiving concaveportion 232 of the lower case 221. In this case, the end face 241 a ofthe mechanical connection convex portion 241 is pressed by the sealingportion of the lower case 221, and thus it is possible to secure sealingof the electrical connection portion 244 by squashing the mechanicalconnection convex portion 241.

In the above-mentioned second embodiment, a case has been described inwhich the conductive pin 260 is used in order to electrically connectthe detection circuit board 27 to the electrical connection portion 244.However, the pin may be a conductive member without being limitedthereto. For example, it is also possible to use a coil spring or thelike instead of the conductive pin 260.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the ring-shaped groove 83 is formed on the end face241 a of the mechanical connection convex portion 241, and the inside ofthe groove 83 is used as the electrical connection portion 244. Such aconfiguration can also be applied to the electrical connection portion44 of the above-mentioned first embodiment. That is, a ring-shapedgroove may be formed on the end face 42 a of the electrical connectioncircular plate 42, and the inside of the groove may be used as sheelectrical connection portion 44.

Further, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, although a state inwhich any packing is not mounted to the conductive pin 260 has beendescribed, as in the first modified example of the first embodiment, apacking may be mounted to she conductive pin 260, and sealing betweenthe conductive pin 260 and the through hole 229 may be secured.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentionedembodiments, and various changes may be added to the above-mentionedembodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-mentioned embed meets, a case has beendescribed in which the main body portions 2 and 202 and the heartbeatdetection portions 3 and 203 are formed integrally with each other inthe heartbeat measurement devices 1 and 201 that measure a heart rate ofthe user U as a biological information detection device, and the sealingportions 51 and 251 are provided in the periphery of the electricalconnection portions 44 and 244 for electrically connecting the main bodyportions 2 and 202 and the heartbeat detection portions 3 and 203.However, such a configuration is not only applied to the heartbeatmeasurement devices 1 and 201, but also can be applied to variousbiological information detection devices. For example, as the biologicalinformation detection devices, the configuration of the above-mentionedembodiments and the modified examples can be applied to devices thatmeasure blood pressure, body temperature, myogenic potential and thelike.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has beendescribed in which the heartbeat measurement devices 1 and 201wirelessly communicate a detected electro-cardiac signal. However,without being limited thereto, wire communication may be used therefor,and simple substance measurement may be performed, for example, byproviding an LCD display portion to the heartbeat measurement devices 1and 201.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described inwhich in order to mount the heartbeat measurement devices 1 and 201 tothe chest of the user U, the fixing band 4 is provided, and the fixingband 4 and the main body portions 2, 2′, and 202 are formed detachablywith each other through the strap attaching end detaching member 12 andthe connection member 22. However, without being limited thereto, thefixing band 4 and the main body portions 2, 2′, and 202 may bedetachable with each other, and configurations other than the strapattaching and detaching member 12 and the connection member 22 may beused. For example, a pair of support walls 23 and 23 and the shaft 24constituting the connection member 22 may be integrally formed in thelower cases 21, 21′, and 221.

What is claimed is:
 1. A biological information detection devicecomprising: a device main body: a biological signal detection portion,formed integrally with the device main body, which has an electrode thatcomes into contact with a biological surface; a fixing portion,detachably provided to the device main body, which mounts the devicemain body and the biological signal detection portion to a human body;an electrical connection portion which electrically connects the devicemain body to the electrode of the biological signal detection portion;and a sealing portion surrounding the periphery of the electricalconnection portion and protruding into contact with the device main bodyto seal the electrical connection portion from the outside environment.2. The biological information detection device according to claim 1,wherein the sealing portion is integrally formed in the biologicalsignal detection portion.
 3. The biological information detection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a ring-shaped groove is formed between theelectrical connection portion and the sealing portion.
 4. The biologicalinformation detection device according to claim 1, wherein thebiological signal detection portion is formed from conductive elastomer,and the conductive elastomer serves as the electrode.
 5. The biologicalinformation detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sealingportion has a substantially triangular shape in cross section.
 6. Thebiological information detection device according to claim 1, whereinthe sealing portion has a substantially circular-ring shape when seen inplan view.
 7. The biological information detection device according toclaim 1, wherein the sealing portion has a substantially semicircularshape in cross section.
 8. The biological information detection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion has a substantiallyrectangular shape when seen in plan view.
 9. The biological informationdetection device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover thatcovers the sealing portion.
 10. A biological information detectiondevice, comprising: a main body portion containing a circuit board; abiological signal detection portion integral with the main body portionand having an electrode that comes into contact with a biologicalsurface of a human body during use of the device; a fixing portionattached to the main body portion for mounting the main body portion toa human body so that the electrode contacts a biological surface of thehuman body; an electrical connection portion that electrically connectsthe circuit board to the electrode; and a compressible sealing portionsurrounding a peripheral portion of the electrical connection portionand compressed between the main body portion and the electricalconnection portion to seal the electrical connection portion from theoutside environment.
 11. The biological information detection deviceaccording to claim 10; wherein the sealing portion protrudes from theelectrical connection portion toward the main body portion.
 12. Thebiological information detection device according to claim 11; whereinthe sealing portion is formed integrally with the electrical connectionportion from conductive elastomer.
 13. The biological informationdetection device according to claim 10; wherein the electricalconnection portion comprises an electrical connection plate electricallyconnected to the electrode, and a conductive member extending through ahole in the main body portion and electrically connecting the electricalconnection plate to the circuit board.
 14. The biological informationdetection device according to claim 13; wherein the conductive membercomprises a coil spring.
 15. The biological information detection deviceaccording to claim 13; wherein the sealing portion surrounds theconductive member in a region where the conductive member contacts theelectrical connection plate.
 16. The biological information detectiondevice according to claim 10; wherein the sealing portion protrudes fromthe main body portion toward the electrical connection portion.
 17. Thebiological information detection device according to claim 10, furthercomprising a cover that covers the sealing portion.
 18. The biologicalinformation detection device according to claim 10; wherein the sealingportion has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape.
 19. Thebiological information detection device according to claim 10; whereinthe sealing portion has a closed ring shape.
 20. The biologicalinformation detection device according to claim 10; wherein the sealingportion has a generally semicircular cross-sectional shape.